Advice for lighting a 32x24x24 SPS tank.

[Jackal799]

So I’ve had my current 80 gallon cube running for about a year now. My SPS have historically been doing really well but I’m running into shading issues. Right now I’m using a reefbreeders photon v2 32 and it’s a fantastic light (mounted 16 inches up). I was considering adding some t5s but I’m left with either 24 inches (too short) or 36 inches (too wide). I was thinking about adding on some led bars and angling them in a bit to help or switching out the set up for a reebrite MH/led (worried about heat but I’ve heard this fixture is considerably cooler). Note to self, lighting an uncommon dimension tank is a pain.

 

[Bpb]

The reefbrite mh combo unit would be terrific. Though realize, the reduced heat is in the way of the outer housing being cooler. A halide bulb is a halide bulb and will still radiate heat downward into the water. That is unavoidable. If at 12-18” high you can get the par you need, and not cook the tank. Terrific. If a chiller is something you’d consider…terrific. Otherwise. If those things bother you, I’d go with the t5ho supplement option and just buy lots of bulbs in case availability becomes an issue.

 

[PatW]

You could do a couple of 24 inch t5 fixtures. You could just overlap them a tad.

 

[Jackal799]

The reefbrite mh combo unit would be terrific. Though realize, the reduced heat is in the way of the outer housing being cooler. A halide bulb is a halide bulb and will still radiate heat downward into the water. That is unavoidable. If at 12-18” high you can get the par you need, and not cook the tank. Terrific. If a chiller is something you’d consider…terrific. Otherwise. If those things bother you, I’d go with the t5ho supplement option and just buy lots of bulbs in case availability becomes an issue.

I I wouldn’t be opposed to running a chiller or using fans. On a 24 inch deep tank do you think a 250 or 400 watt would be better? I’m not too concerned with halide availability as Reefbrite is still making bulbs and tulio has no indication they will stop as there is still a market for them.

 

[Jackal799]

You could do a couple of 24 inch t5 fixtures. You could just overlap them a tad.

The other option is to get a 36inch t5 unit but it would be overlapping by about 2 inches on each side as the tank is 32 inches wide. I dunno how noticeable it’s really going to be though. I’ll never get a non standard tank size again for this reason lol.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Either way is fine

 

[rtparty]

24" T5s cover 32" plenty.

Adding XHO bars to your current setup would work.

The halide combo is my #1 choice by a mile. 250w with XHO bars should be plenty. Call Tullio and ask. He is great to work with

 

[Utubereefer]

Orphek or3 bars are phenomenal supplemental lights and they come in a variety of spectrums

 

[Dennis Cartier]

I would just buy a second Photon and mount them lower, each centered on 12" of the tank, and at a lower power setting.

If you are happy with the Photon, then doubling it up and getting more coverage should work.

 

[Bpb]

I I wouldn’t be opposed to running a chiller or using fans. On a 24 inch deep tank do you think a 250 or 400 watt would be better? I’m not too concerned with halide availability as Reefbrite is still making bulbs and tulio has no indication they will stop as there is still a market for them.

250 absolutely.

 

[Jackal799]

I would just buy a second Photon and mount them lower, each centered on 12" of the tank, and at a lower power setting.

If you are happy with the Photon, then doubling it up and getting more coverage should work.

Oh that’s a good option as well!

 

[Jackal799]

I would just buy a second Photon and mount them lower, each centered on 12" of the tank, and at a lower power setting.

If you are happy with the Photon, then doubling it up and getting more coverage should work.

Oh that’s a good option as well!

 

[Acros]

Why not add a couple of reef breeders lumen bars as supplement.

You can even order custom bars on AliExpress, that’s what I did to suppliment my XR15.

 

[Jackal799]

Why not add a couple of reef breeders lumen bars as supplement.

You can even order custom bars on AliExpress, that’s what I did to suppliment my XR15.

It’s the width that’s annoying. Tank is 32 inches wide and the bars are either 24 or 36. I could use a 24 inch bar but I fear I’ll still be getting some shading. It would certainly help though.

 

[Jackal799]

250 absolutely.

My ambient temp in the room is about 75. How many degrees do you think a 250 would raise the tank? I’m wondering if I ran fans to offset a little of the heat if I could avoid a chiller.

 

[Acros]

It’s the width that’s annoying. Tank is 32 inches wide and the bars are either 24 or 36. I could use a 24 inch bar but I fear I’ll still be getting some shading. It would certainly help though.

Depends on your aquascape. It would only leave out 4” on either sides.

 

[Jackal799]

Depends on your aquascape. It would only leave out 4” on either sides.

Yeah I think you’re right. I’m overthinking this lol.

 

[jda]

Do you like the v2 32? If so, then get another.

If you have an open top, then heat from a single Halide is not really a problem, or at least it never has been for me, but I also have never been dying to switch to something else and use heat as an excuse. A fan during the hot months is all that I need and the heat helps the rest of the year. The newer RB and Hamilton bulbs are not as hot as Radium 20k or some of the older ones - the new "formula" was made to help with this.

 

[Jackal799]

Do you like the v2 32? If so, then get another.

If you have an open top, then heat from a single Halide is not really a problem, or at least it never has been for me, but I also have never been dying to switch to something else and use heat as an excuse. A fan during the hot months is all that I need and the heat helps the rest of the year. The newer RB and Hamilton bulbs are not as hot as Radium 20k or some of the older ones - the new "formula" was made to help with this.

I do like the v2. It’s a fantastic light. However, I do love the simplicity of metal halide. My tank is open top. For the price of another v2 I could do a MH set up and then sell my current v2 to offset the cost. Decisions decisions. I really don’t see the led savings people are talking about when you factor in the cost of lights, watts used, and cost of replacement for leds. I guess maybe if one has to run a chiller a lot that could increase cost significantly. Not to trash LEDs because they work and work well but if I’m looking at adding another 500$ unit to get the coverage I need I can’t see how that’s more cost effective in the long run. Correct me if I’m wrong but a watt is a watt and if I’m using 250 watts of led or 250 watts of MH then there shouldn’t be an electricity savings.

 

[oreo54]

Did you ever measure the actual wattage you are using?

Used leds (used in general) don't have that high of a resale value.

Get mh's if you like the way they look. Hobbies generally NEVER "save" money..

In 5 years can one REALLY predict the cost of.................anything.

Apparently ONLY in reefkeeping does one need equal wattage.
Why????? Don't know.